My Dick Talleur and Dorato Hare's Ear Story

What seems like all too long ago I was working for a big hospital in Nashua, NH.  My role was to manage a number of medical facilities around the the southern part of the state.  Each week I could count on a trip through New Boston which resulted in a lunch time stop at the old Hunter's Fly Shop.  The crew at the shop always said they new what day it was when I showed up.  

On one visit I stood in front of a wall of fly capes trying to decide which one I could afford when no other than Dick Talleur was suddenly standing beside me.  He asked me what I was looking at and going to tie.  I explained I was trying to buy 2 half capes to tie some Adams patterns to use on the Androscoggin River and in the Errol area.  He said come over here and sat down and showed me a pattern he called the Dorato Hare's Ear.  He explained that it was named after a friend of his Bill Dorato and tied correctly imitated a caddis fly trying to exit the water.  He shared with me it had many of the same materials as an Adams but with a different wing and body.  Two things I remember from my lesson was the tail should be shorter than normal with a slight fanning and that you should clip the hackles on the bottom of the fly.  The clipping he said should not be excessive with the key to leave a gap and a half in length on the underside of the fly.  He explained it allowed the fly to sit lower in the water as if it was struggling to escape and fly away.

I learned a lot that day, got what materials I needed and thanked my friend Dick for the lesson.  For me the sharing of information was very important.  I remember that day quite clearly and the pattern always is in my fly box and one of my go to flies.  

 Dorato Hare's Ear
Hook: 12-16 Partridge Dry Fly Supreme
Thread: 6/0 Olive Danville 
Tail: Mixed Grizzly and Brown (short and fanning)
Wings: Wood Duck Flank
Body:  Medium Hare Ear Dubbing
Hackle: Dark Grizzly and Medium Brown 

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